CalWORKs

If you are an adult with dependent children, you may be eligible for California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids, or CalWORKs. CalWORKs provides short term cash assistance and a variety of services to help you get back on your feet and into the workforce. If you are eligible for CalWORKs you will automatically qualify for Medi-Cal and may also qualify for CalFresh. Even after you have found a job, there may be follow-up services available to help you stay employed and move to better-paying work.

Am I Eligible

To be eligible for CalWORKs, you and/or your family member(s) must be legal U.S. residents. Even if you are working, own a house or are married, you may be eligible for cash assistance to help pay your living expenses. At least one child in your home must need cash aid because of the:

illness

injury

unemployment or

continued absence of one or both parents

Children may be eligible for CalWORKs until their 18th birthday or are 18 years old and in high school or vocational school full time and are expected to complete either program before their 19th birthday or he/she is disabled and attends school full-time. You can only receive CalWORKs as an adult for 48 months in your lifetime unless you are exempt. There is no time limit for children.

In addition, the property of a child and the parent(s) must be under the following limits:

Families without elderly members may have $2250 combined personal and real property.

Families with elderly members (those who are 60 years of age or older) may have $3250 combined personal and real property

All CalWORKS applicants must have a face to face interview to complete the application process.

What Do I Need to Bring

The following items of verification are required to process your application:

A picture identification card

Social Security card

Proof of US citizenship

Rent and utility receipts (if applicable)

Vehicle registration (if applicable)

Income and property verification such as checking and savings account statements or unemployment benefits (if applicable)

Place of employment (if applicable)

Date of birth

There may be additional information the program specialist may need to help you complete your application. The program specialist will give you time to provide these. If you need help getting this information, or need help paying for them, then we may be able to help.